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Cold Horseshoeing
Cold shoeing or "cold fitting" is best described as the process of "hammer-leveling" a horseshoe and "rasp-leveling" a horse's hoof to create a union between each with the majority of this union being one of friction, rather than relying heavily on compression of the hoof and shoe from it's nails. Proper cold fitting can be time consuming. However, if mastered, it can benefit the horse, especially in situations where hot fitting cannot be tolerated.
Reference:
Hot or Cold Shoeing: What is your Farrier Doing? "Farrier-Friendly"™ series By Bryan S. Farcus, BS, CF and Clyde H. Alloway, JR. DVM
Hot Shoeing
Hot shoeing or "hot fitting" is a result of using the heat of the shoe to create a union by directly imprinting it on the hoof, immediately after removing it from the fire. For the unskilled farrier this procedure , however, can be injurious to the horse. It takes a working knowledge of each individual horse's hoof to determine if hot fitting can be tolerated. Overburning a thin, sensitive sole could cause severe pain and may require several weeks or even months of stall rest. Most competent farriers will be conservative in their hot fitting practices and rely on the theory that heat should be used to "seat", rather than to "cheat". In this context, the word seat is used to signify a marking technique for shoe placement, rather than an actual impression or deep burning of the bottom surface of the horse's hoof.
Reference: Hot or Cold Shoeing: What is your Farrier Doing? "Farrier-Friendly"™ series By Bryan S. Farcus, BS, CF and Clyde H. Alloway, JR. DVM
Therapeutic Shoeing
Therapeutic horseÂshoeing, therapeutic farriery, corrective shoeing, and podiatry are some of the terms that have been used to describe the care of a horse’s hoof to adÂdress abnormal conditions beyond this common practice. Since many farriers use various shoes, pads, and application methods, therapeutic shoeÂing is practiced by most farriers at various levels. It could also be argued that basic horse shoeing is therapeutic in nature.
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Reference:Â A Look at Therapeutic Horseshoeing, July 22, 2020, Posted by Equine Disease Quarterly